cubital tunnel syndrome?

Question

is cubital tunnel syndrome, ulnar tunnel syndrome, guyon canal entrapment, decompression in siti and carpal tunnel syndrome are they in the same family. i heard that some of these could be caused by performing assembly line work. is that true. how can i tell in the differece. i just know something is wrong with my hands. and my work want let me see there doctor. i have seen a nurse and she has put me on light duty for 2 weeks now. people tells me to be very careful because they have not let me see one of there doctors yet. i don't know what to do. can someone help me try to figure out whats going on with my hands. i know i need to see a doctor, but it was like i said, this is scarey because work could be involved. can someone help me with what the difference is in these syndomes. please and if you know why my work would be doing this to me please let me know. i don't want to loose my job. thanks

Answer 1

All those mentioned are peripheral (away from your spinal cord and in your arms or legs) nerve entrapments. The entrapment could be due to bone or muscle. Over time degeneration occurs in the form of boney build up causing entrapments, or sometimes through overuse injuries muscle become tight causing entrapments or even changing the way they move the joint through its plane, also causing the entrapment. Chances are the rest won't help once you come back to your regular duties. Better go and try to treat your condition while you have the oppurtunity of rest.

Answer 2

Cam
Any of those mentioned Will result in pins and needles and poor circulation that Willl make fingers feel cold and look blanched.

Repetitive strain injuries wil cause this to occur and so will falls on the wrist etc. Effectively there is a band of cartilage at the wrist level where all the hand nerves and blood b\vessels enter. Imagine it as a sort of cable tie. Strain injury causes swelling and it affects the band of cartilage causing it to press down on the vessels and nerves. rest relieves it only temporarily and surgical intervention is necessary to relieve the pressure and save the hand.from damage.

Your work doctor should know this and may be covering their azz to get out of paying for it. I suggest you seek immediate audience with an orthopedic surgeon through your private physician. Get a sick leave certificate and have the cartilage cut. It is a day surgery operation so you can go home virtually a few hours after the op. You Ned to keep it clean and rest it for a period but the doc will give you time off. Don;'t hang around with this as functional loss can occur.

I am a physician so take my advise get it looked at independently!

Answer 3

Your employer put you on light duty to relieve the stress on your hands. This is a preventative measure on their part to keep you healthy. Most likely your type of work is causing you the discomfort. I would recommend going to the doctor. They will probably refer you to Physical Therapy to see if the therapist can help with your symptoms.

Answer 4

Be sure that whomever checks you out for these problems pays proper attention to your neck. That is the thing I see missed most often in these cases. Your neck can be a big contributer to the hand symptoms.
Good luck.